Tag Archives: long island au pair

Happy Thanksgivukkah!

untitled (5)Hanukkah begins at sundown this evening, which means Thankgiving and Hanukkah are celebrated together this year.  A new term Thanksgivukkah is being used to honor both holidays!
The next time Thanksgivukkah will be celebrated is in 79,043 years from now, according to one estimate. Another suggests Thanksgivukkah will take place in 2070 and 2165.

For fun and educational activities for children go to http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/

Directions to play the Dreidel game.  Play for Hershey kisses, a great way to have fun with the kids when they are home from school! http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/dreidel-game.html

Happy Hanukkah!

JUSTINE’S LOCKS OF LOVE!

Justine Probst - Au Pair in America

Justine Probst - Au Pair in America

Justine Probst is a 23 year old young woman from Germany living in the USA as an au pair with Au Pair in America. I met Justine when she arrived to her host family in Center Moriches in August 2013. As the Suffolk County Community Counselor for Au Pair in America, part of my job is to visit with new au pairs and help them through their year in America. Her long brown hair, ready smile and slim build were memorable. An intelligent young woman, she was excited about starting her year in America with her host family, caring for their children, learning about America and taking classes at Suffolk Community College.

Each month the Suffolk County au pairs get together for an activity and Justine always attends the activities. On Sunday, November 17th, over 200 au pairs from Au Pair in America who live with Long Island and Westchester host families, enjoyed the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in NYC. I immediately noticed Justine’s cute short new hair style and asked what made her take such a big step to cut off her hair. She said she did it for Locks of Love. We made a date to chat this week about why and how this was done.

Au Pair in America is a wonderful experience for young women from 60 countries around the world who spend a year or two with a host family caring for their children up to 45 hours a week, taking some classes at local colleges, and learning about American culture. But part of this experience is being away from loved ones back home. Justine learned a family member in German has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She wanted to do something, but knew traveling home would not change her relative’s outcome, that she would lose her time in the USA; but she knew she had to do something meaningful. She found Locks of Love online and decided she could donate her long brown hair.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. You just need 10 inches of hair that has not been bleached or highlighted tied back in a ponytail or braid to donate.

Justine followed the directions on the Locks of Love website, went to a salon, cut off her ponytail and mailed it off to Locks of Love. I am very proud that Justine found this wonderful way to do something to honor her relative with breast cancer. Justine said her family member caught the cancer early through self-examination and her outcome is expected to be good. A lucky young child will one day be wearing Justine’s Locks of Love and hopefully will have a good outcome, too. Thank you Justine Probst!

Interested in Au Pair in America?  Check out  www.aupairinamerica.com

Holiday Boat Parade in Patchogue

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Sunday, November 24th at 6 PM

The 20th annual boat parade will be taking place this weekend along Patchogue Village’s riverfront. A preview night Saturday from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. will allow residents to view the boats and vote for awards. Boats can be viewed from The Oar, 264 West Avenue in Patchogue, Harbor Crab, 116 Division St. in Patchogue, and Off Key Tikki, 31 Baker Place in Patchogue. The parade itself will take place Sunday around 6 p.m. and can be viewed from Sandspit Park: Davis Park Ferry Terminal on Brightwood St. or Fire Island National Seashore: Watch Hill Ferry Terminal on West Ave. More information is available at www.patchogueboatparade.com.

Au Pair Enjoy Radio City Christmas Spectacular!

The Suffolk County Cluster of Au Pair in America!

The Suffolk County Cluster of Au Pair in America!

DSCN0270On Sunday, November 17th, 200 au pairs from Au Pair in America enjoyed a truly NY holiday tradition at Radio City Musical Hall.  The au pairs loved the Rockettes and the whole Christmas Spectacular!  The show was truly spectacular!DSCN0272DSCF2655

Veteran’s Day is Monday, November 11th!

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Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Do you know the difference?

Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring those who died serving our country.

On a Veterans Day we thank and honor those who served in the military.

Veterans Day is observed on November 11th of each year. This day used to be called Armistice Day.

What can children do for  Veterans Day?


* Draw a picture about Veterans Day.  Click here for some Veteran’s Day coloring pages


* Make a card to thank veterans. You can send your card to a    local VA Medical Center.


Click here for Veteran’s Nursing Home

Click here for Veteran’s Hospital

Welcoming home her Daddy!

Suffolk County, Long Island is home to the largest population of veterans in New York State, and has one of the largest veterans’ populations of any county in the United States.

Au Pair Orientation

Au Pair in America provides a comprehensive Orientation for all our au pairs before they go out to their host families.  When each au pair arrives at the NY airport, she is welcomed and transported to the the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown, NY.  There she is met by an Au Pair in America Orientation staff member, given some valuable information, room assignment and a chance to check into her room for rest. Three full days follow started each day with early wake up calls.   The importance of being on time is emphasized so the meeting run smoothly and au pairs learn to understand the importance of time in America.

998798_10152025733573792_1279016968_n[1]Noelle from Germany was welcomed to America by their Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba.  She is going to a family in Pt. Jefferson, LI, NY and will be joining a cluster of about 30 au pairs.

At Orientation the agenda includes:

  • An Introduction the United States and Au Pair in America
  • “The Three No’s” – No drugs, no alcohol under 18 and never while driving or caring for children, no child abuse (Au Pairs are sent home if they abuse drugs, alcohol or children!!)
  • The Role of the Community Counselor
  • Living in America – Cultural adaptation and communication with their American families
  • Childcare safety and media
  • American Red Cross Child Safety Workshop
  • The American Family
  • Child Care in America – managing American Children – Communication and discipline
  • Living in America – auto insurance and health insurance

    Au Pairs during Red Cross training at Orientaion

    Au Pairs during Red Cross training at Orientaion

3 meals a day, time to socialize with the other au pairs and the Orientation Staff.  There is even an evening tour of NYC!  Au Pairs submit questions anonymously all week and every question is answered by the staff to the group before they go home.

Au Pairs leave Orientation on Day 4 at 3 PM and head out to 35 states and hundreds of host families.  Everyone is excited to depart and begin a year as an Au Pair in America!

Halloween Safety Tips

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Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile collisions. The Red Cross wantsyour family to have a safe Halloween so we’re providing these tips,

the Lucky 13:

  1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
  2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
  3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.
  4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
  5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing  to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)
  6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
  7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no matter their pace.)
  8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
  9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a  safety gamble!
  10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no  to hide, be sure that you’re seen whether you’re a clown or a bride.)
  11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
  12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
  13. For additional information on how you and your family can be prepared for emergencies on Halloween or on any day of the year, please visit www.RedCross.org

International Day of the Girl – October 11th

020Theme for 2013: Innovating for Girls’ Education

On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

Girls face discrimination and violence every day across the world. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.

Au Pair in America promotes education through the Global Awareness Program exclusive to APIA!  Au Pairs are encouraged to share their culture to promote international understanding in American classrooms around the USA.  If you are interested in learning more about Au Pair in America’s Global Awareness program click here.

Homesick? Tips to feel better!

Feeling Homesick? Top 10 Tips to feeling better…

  1. Do not stay in your room, go out with a friend for coffee or a movie
  2. If you have not met anyone yet, call your counselor and ask her to connect you with another au pair
  3. Talk to an au pair who has been here for a while and understands what the first few weeks are like
  4. Talk to your host family about how you feel, join in family activities and focus on getting to know your new family
  5. Go to the gym or work out, exercise is a natural stimulant and will make you feel better
  6. Remind yourself that it is normal to feel homesick on and off throughout the year
  7. Being homesick shows your love for your own family and country but learning to love your new life is okay too
  8. Check in with people at home who will support you, make you laugh and remind you why you wanted to do this
  9. Go to the next cluster meeting and meet other au pairs
  10. Make a list of all the things you dreamed of doing during your year as an au pair…and get started doing them!